Page 97 of Sing with Me

“It might be easier if we park next door at the guest cottage, rather than have to walk there.” Diehl pointed down the road.

“I’ve been there before, but whenever I did, it was with Seb’s catering van—and someone else was doing the driving. Am I remembering it correctly that there’s a winding driveway through some trees by a pond?”

Diehl nodded. “It’s narrow and just one lane, so Mom got the house for a steal.”

“And then they don’t use it unless there’s a party or for housing guests.”

“That’s what happens when there’s money to spare and parties to throw—although I must say that my parents are getting a bit too old to host seasonal luncheons for power-grabbing politicians. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they sell the guest cottage in the next five years.”

Skye navigated the winding road slowly. “Wow. Don’t let me drive into the pond, Lord.”

Diehl grinned. “So far no one has done that.”

“There’s always a first for everything.”

They were quiet for a while in the car as Skye tried not to hit a tree on the way to the guest cottage. “Glad I brought my little car instead of my usual van.”

“This is a nice car.” Diehl patted the seat’s edge.

“My trusty Honda Accord.” Skye parked the car and thanked the Lord.

She did it so casually that Diehl wondered what it must be like to be able to talk to God that way. Perhaps it was something she had trained herself to do over time.

“So much for my power nap.” Diehl tried to get out of the car, but he still had a headache. The aspirin was kicking in, and so did the coffee, but he still felt dizzy.

He did not want Skye to help him out of the car. It would be caught on the security camera and perhaps used against him later by the Bishops to gain custody of the kids. That would be a fight he did not want to lose.

Then again, Isobel had done him much harm—led him down to the valley of the shadow of death with her deceits over the years. How could he not see through them all? How?

Perhaps he wanted to be blind to her faults. Was it love to dismiss sins? How was the way he had handled Isobel different from how Skye dealt with him this morning?

“Skye?” Diehl asked softly as he closed the car door.

Skye stood outside the driver’s side. She was adjusting her crossbody bag over her shoulder. “Yes?”

“About this morning…”

“Let’s talk later.” Skye locked the car.

Nearby, the front door of the guest cottage opened. Cara walked briskly down the stone driveway toward them. “We’ve been trying to get a hold of you all morning. Your mother almost sent the police to your house.”

“We’re here now,” Diehl said.

“Detective Jeong was in the family room talking to the Bishops and your mom. They dispersed a few minutes ago, and the detective went with Malik to the security office.”

“Thanks, Cara. I’ll go there.”

“Hello, Skye.” Cara nodded to Skye. She didn’t say anything else to Skye.

“Nice to see you again,” Skye said.

Ethan came running to the foyer as soon as Diehl stepped into the house. “Dad! Dad!”

Before Diehl could stop him in his tracks, Ethan wrapped his arms around Diehl and wept into his polo shirt. He could feel the boy’s warm tears on his stomach.

“Have you eaten breakfast?” Cara asked.

“Yes,” Skye said. “But if you have some toast and jam, Diehl might want some.”

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